Kenya Museum Society | Know-Kenya-Course

Topics and Presenters

The year’s topics and presenters offered a diverse look at lesser-known and better-known aspects of Kenya, including:

Sacred Sites and Monuments – Dr. Mzalendo Kibunjia
Prehistory in Kenya – Dr. Meave Leakey
Challenges of Nationhood and Identity in Kenya – Mr. John Sibi- Okumu
Whose Kenya?: Debunking the Gaze, Reimagining the Space – Ms. Joyce Nyairo
Human Rights/Gender Issues – Ms. Muthoni Wanyeki and the Honourable Njoki Ndung’u
Political Cartoons and the Media - Gado
Economic Development in Kenya: The Real Issues – Mr. Sunny Bindra
Elephant Conservation – Ms. Paula Kahumbu
The African Baobab Tree – Mr. Rupert Watson
Kenya: A Country in the Making 1880-1940 – Mr. Nigel Pavitt
Birds in Kenya – Mr. Munir Virani
Sports Panel - Moderated by Martin Keino and featuring Mr. Paul Tergat and Ms. Tegla Lorupe
'The Building of the Uganda Railway - Otherwise known as the Lunatic Line' - Mr. Bryan Harris

The Films

The films included:

Queen of the Trees presented by the film makers Victoria and Mark Deeble,
Echo of the Elephants: The Last Chapter introduced by Dr. Cynthia Moss and
World on a String: The Eternal Bead introduced by Mr. Alan Donavan.

The Know Kenya Course offered a series of 10 morning lectures, held at the newly opened and renovated Nairobi National Museum.

Each session started with brief entertainment by local artists. The programme included a series of afternoon events, such as guided tours of the newly refurbished museum, departmental visits to areas not open to the public and film shows. An additional evening programme rounded off an already fascinating agenda. On the last day of the year’s Know Kenya Course, participants and guests met at the Nairobi National Museum for lectures, tours of the museum and railway cars.

There was a raffle with excellent prizes on offer and as usual during the course we hosted a number of community projects whose representatives were there to offer information and merchandise.

All full time participants received a complimentary folder containing valuable background information for each lecture.

Early booking, KMS members and group discounts were on offer. And we devised a student sponsorship project. This gave fully paid participants as well as those who could not attend the option to invite a student and help our future generation to appreciate the importance of preserving Kenya’s rich and diverse heritage.

The Know Kenya Course (KKC) is an annual event of the Kenya Museum Society, open to everyone living in Kenya, newcomers and residents alike. The only requirement for attending is that you're keen to learn more about this exciting country of ours! Many embassies and international organizations make the Know Kenya Course part of their newcomer orientation programme. High schools teachers often bring their classes to one or more lectures. Professional tour guides attend to broaden their knowledge of the country. The KKC presents a varied programme of morning and evening lectures, behind-the-scenes visits to Museum departments and an all-day fieldtrip on the final day. You can attend one or all of the activities, depending on your schedule.

The Know Kenya Course is a major fundraising event of the Museum Society, and the speakers, lecturers and presenters all generously share their knowledge free of charge. The funds raised support the National Museums through the KMS grant programme. All proceeds from the Know Kenya Course will go to the National Museums of Kenya.

As a full course participant you get the benefit of an inclusive price for day and evening lectures, field trip with buffet lunch and information folders. You can join the Society when you come to the KMS office to register.

Know-Kenya-Course

Topics and Presenters

The Films

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